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What: The Paleo Summit (see also this post)

Who: Denise Minger – Author, Death by Food Pyramid

Topic: How to Win an Argument with a Vegetarian. The Paleo Diet has its fair share of detractors, objecting to the consumption of animal foods while promoting the virtues of being vegan or vegetarian. But are vegans and vegetarians immune to cancer and heart disease? Does meat consumption cause bone loss?

What did you think of Denise's presentation?

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Didn't she already do a speech named that? Maybe this time she will wear those monkey feet. – primallykosher Mar 1 2012 at 3:46
Yes, it was her AHS11 presentation: vimeo.com/32062337 – Beth-WeightMaven Mar 1 2012 at 12:49
Why did she give the same talk two years in a row? – Brad Mar 1 2012 at 17:27
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 I'm betting Sean asked her to speak to this topic for his audience. – Beth-WeightMaven Mar 1 2012 at 18:44
Brad, it was two different events, AHS and The Paleo Summit, not the same talk two years in a row at the same event. – Paleo2.0 Mar 2 2012 at 14:23

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The greatest takeaway from Denise's presentation is the fact that Vegans and Vegetarians are healthy for a bit of time because they do the same thing that we do...

Ditch processed food. Ditch vegetable oils. Ditch wheat.

Most vegans and vegetarians end up adding meat back to their diet because their health continues to decline.

In order to thrive we all need meat but the total requirements vary. One can do quite well with very little if this person is avoiding junk.

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 Yes, I agree. I started with a ton of meat and fat but I think that's because I had a chronic deficit. As I became well nourished, I started adding more and more plants and while protein/fat are still major energy sources, at least 50-60% of my food volume is plants (leafy salads, large portions of cooked vegetables.) – Nance Mar 1 2012 at 17:30
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Her favorite color is red. Which is a plus. If you drink every time she says science you will be very drunk. And possibly blinded by science.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlHgbOWj4o

She does mention confounding variables on why the vegetarian diets appear to heal people. Think lifestyle change, no smoking, exercise and punk music. This is where the ice cream reference comes from too. So obviously paleo ice cream will make you live longer.

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I noticed the "science" thing as well, but wasn't clever enough to make it into a game. I'd upvote, but my computer doesn't let me. :( – shah78 Mar 1 2012 at 17:53
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She Mentions Paleo Hacks!!!

Great talk. One quote:

"The China Study is such a load of hogwash"

Lots of good information. Goes beyond the title.

Also it isn't at all about arguing. More like how to not argue...

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In my case, Denise was preaching to the choir but I enjoyed her presentation. The only plant-based plan that I ever found mildly tempting is Swayze Foster's fruit-heavy one, but even I am sensible enough to realize she's much, much younger and I can't draw comparisons. And I am only tempted because I have an insane love for fruit. Let's say it's my high palatability/reward food within paleo. :-))

I was already familiar with Denise's debunk of The China Study, but it was good reinforcement to hear it again today.

You know, I don't actually know any vegetarians, but I think it's less prevalent among the "officially old" crowd I hang with. I feel a ton of common ground with those who eat whole plant foods and avoid grains--when you get down to it, I think of myself as a vegetarian plus animal prodcuts rather than SAD minus everything.

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2 
 Right with you. I too easily lapse into thinking I'm a vegetarian who just happens to eat 75% of his diet in animal products.I eat more veggies than almost any vegetarian I know.Vegetarian almost alway means 60% grains anyway. – shah78 Mar 1 2012 at 17:12
Interesting points... prior to moving away from the SAD, my vision of a vegetarian diet was lots and lots of vegetables, legumes, etc... but not as many grains or processed foods. I guess that's more of a whole food vegetarian, whereas it's still easy and 'correct' to be vegetarian and still include tons of cereal grains and processed foods. – jimsiff Mar 1 2012 at 17:55
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"When there's tendency of bad science or dogma, people will call it out."

That's why I like this talk. Paleo community is a community in which everyone stays true to one's own goals, and a community that's constantly improving.

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Agree. I liked the part where she said Paleo corrects itself. It's evolving fast and we all see it. – DFH Mar 1 2012 at 18:11
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I loved this presentation even though I have heard it all before and/or even thunk it up myself. But, she is just soooo much fun!

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